Life at Willis Creek Ranch: Our day in Edinburgh Part 1

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Our day in Edinburgh Part 1

Saturday, June 18, 2016

I will have to break this day up into 2 blog posts. We packed a LOT into this day!!

We took the bus into city center and got off at North Bridge just above Waverley Station. This was our first real look at Edinburgh. It was fantastic!

Our first view of Edinburgh Castle (standing on North Bridge)

Our first destination was to be St. Giles Cathedral for the mid-day service followed by a choir singing a short program, as listed on their website for this particular day. I was the typical tourist all along the way, taking photos of my surroundings then having to run to catch up to the others. :D

Yes, this was a common sight. ;)

I was fascinated by the 'closes'

Jennifer leading us to St. Giles Cathedral

We entered the church a few minutes before the service was to begin and found chairs up front. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I can tell you that the entire experience at St. Giles touched me deeply. The sermon was on the beatitudes; the blesseds. The pastor made an analogy of God's love and Scotland that struck me. Just as the sun is always shining somewhere over the world, God's love is always there for us. But, it can become dark and obscured like the layer of clouds over Scotland. Some days we can see and feel the sun, some days are dark. But God is always there. (I wrote about this more in depth in my Grace over Scotland post.) It was a powerful sermon and I have thought about it a lot ever since.

Then the concert that followed was entitled 'Sing Me To Heaven'. We all felt as if it were for Pierce, who we had learned had passed away Thursday morning. We truly felt that we were attending his memorial service. I think he would have loved the glorious sound of that choir in that cathedral and could almost hear his joyful voice joining in.

We spent time after the concert just walking around the cathedral and enjoying all the historic information and the majesty of the building. (note - you purchase a photo permit for 2 pounds at the reception desk. Well worth it!) What a place.

Here is a video of the inside of St Giles Cathedral, accompanied by the beautiful sacred music chorale. Absolutely perfect.

St. Giles Cathedral from Laura M. on Vimeo.

Jennifer and Mama

Julie, Mama, and Laura

Here is another example of the rapidly changing weather.
Look back up at the photo of the cathedral when
we entered. Gray and slightly rainy. :D

Finally, we set out to have a late lunch at one of Jennifer's favorite restaurants, Mums Comfort Food. We each tried something different. It was all yummy!

Laura, Julie, Mama, Jennifer

yummy comfort food

We wandered around Old Town Edinburgh taking in all the sights and sounds. What an interesting city.

This made me laugh... there was a bagpiper standing there
(on the left) playing his heart out. But there was competition
for the change by the storm trooper on the right who
was waving his gun in time with music. :D

Another view of Edinburgh Castle - you can see the
stands they are setting up on the esplanade
for the August festival (foreground)

Victoria Street

Then Jennifer took us up to see her room. She has a lovely shared kitchen area and an incredible view - she lives just off the Royal Mile. Pretty cool.